# Accidental Mutation: A Key to Human Success?
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Chapter 1: The Human Legacy
Long ago, humans shared the planet with other closely related species.
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Currently, genetic studies show that modern humans primarily belong to the species Homo Sapiens, with less than 10% of our genetic makeup linked to other members of the same genus, such as Homo Neanderthals or Homo Erectus. This raises an intriguing question: How did we come to dominate while other species have vanished?
Many speculate that our intelligence is the secret to our species' success. However, it's interesting to note that Neanderthals actually possessed larger brains, suggesting they might have been more intelligent than Sapiens. So, why do we prevail?
In ancient times, our ancestors had limited communication skills. At some point, however, Sapiens developed the ability to convey complex narratives. This transformation is believed to stem from an accidental mutation, which enhanced our communication capabilities, leading to what is known as the cognitive revolution.
Section 1.1: The Cognitive Revolution
This cognitive shift fundamentally changed human interaction. Previously, individuals primarily engaged with a small circle—mostly their immediate families. The cognitive revolution enabled broader communication, allowing humans to conceptualize abstract ideas that could unite larger groups.
Initially, before this mutation, our communication resembled that of animals, limited to essential warnings like "Danger!" With the cognitive leap, we learned to articulate more detailed thoughts, such as "Be cautious; a lion is resting by the river since yesterday." This shift also allowed for the imagination of nonexistent entities, exemplified by the 40,000-year-old Lion Man statue discovered in a cave in Germany.
This cognitive advancement enabled Sapiens to form belief systems that connected individuals. For instance, religions have historically united thousands of strangers in common endeavors. Beyond simply creating beliefs, humans crafted elaborate imagined realities. For example, if you were to ask a monkey to trade its banana for paper money, it would be impossible. In contrast, Homo Sapiens engage in such exchanges because we have established a complex shared understanding, such as the concept of currency, which we all collectively accept.
Section 1.2: The Power of Cooperation
This ability to bind individuals through shared beliefs fosters cooperation. Thanks to this mutation, Homo Sapiens can collaborate on a broader scale, unlike our more intelligent cousins who lack this capacity. In a straightforward comparison, a group of one hundred can easily overpower a solitary individual, which is critical for societal success.
So, what are your thoughts on this evolutionary journey?
Credits: The ideas presented in this article are influenced by Yuval Noah Harari's book, "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind."